Flexible joint for pressing machines



Jane 1%, 19320 E. DAVHS FLEXIBLE JOINT FOR PRESSING MACHINES Filed March 18, 1929 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNEST DAVIS, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROSPERITY COMPANY INC., OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK FLEXIBLE JOIN T FOR PRESSING MACHINES Application filed March 18, 1929. Serial No. 347,852.

This invention relates to pressing machines, as garment and laundry pressing machines, in which the movable element or head is carried by a lever, and has for its object,

a particularly simple and eflicient steam or fluid connection to the interior of the movable pressing element, whereby the connection or coupling is not affected-by the movements of the movable element other than the opening and closing or up and down movements thereof.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressing machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the coupling forming the subject matter of this invention, the contiguous portion of the head of a pressing machine and the yoke lever being also shown. I

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the plane of line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4, Figure 2.

This invention comprises generally, a coupling in the steam line of a pressing machine of the type above set forth, which coupling includes a swiveled' section arranged coaxially with the axis of the yoke lever carrying the movable element or head, and means whereby the strains. transferred from the head to the swiveled section are confined solely to a rotative movement andthe section is relieved of the strains of all other movements of the head.

In pressing machines of this type, the head not only has an up and down movement, but also has various rocking movements relatively to the yoke lever and also movements 4 due to other strains to which the head is subon and other conditions.

I have here illustrated my invention as embodied in the standard type of pressing machine comprising a stationary lower press ing element or buck 1 mounted upon a bracket or goose neck 2 supported on the table 3 of a frame 4; and an up er pressin element or head 5 carried at the ront end 0 a yoke lever 6 which is pivoted between its ends at 7 to a standard 8 rising from the frame, the pivot being located in the rear of the head. The head is not rigidly secured to the yoke lever, but is flexibly secured thereto to rock about a lengthwise axis as about an axis passing lengthwise oft-he head containing the fulcrum point as 9. Also, the head is capable of a slight tilting movement about a forward and rearward axis, these various movements being brought about by the difl'erent thicknesses of the work at different points on the surface of the buck 1 and being permitted by the fact that the motion of the lever 6 is transmitted to the head 5 through spring suspension means designated'generally, 10.

The supporting of the head on the yoke lever 6 forms no part of this invention, and insofar as this invention is concerned, it is suflicient to bear in mind that the head is capable of various movements relatively to i the lever 6 when the head goes under heavy pressure.

The head is actuated by any suitable mechansim whether foot or power operated, which mechanism is connected to the rear arm of the yoke lever in any suitable manner. As there are many forms of foot and power operated mechanisms and as the specific mechanism forms no part of this invention, further description is thought to be unnecessary.

In pressing machines of this type, the pressing elements are usually formed hollow for receiving a heating medium, as steam,

supplied from a boiler or any source external of the machine, and as the head moves about an axis, some sort of a flexible joint must be used between the head and the feed pipe for the steam. These flexible joints, on account of the multitude of the movements or strains to which they are subjected, are hard to keep from leaking for any length of time. It is impractical to use a flexible metal pipe from the head to the boiler as a flexible metal pipe unless extremely long and of an impractical length, will not stand the various strains. The flexible coupling in this invention comprises a swiveled section subject only to a rocking force about the axis of the yoke lever 6.

The coupling comprises a fixed section 11 mounted on one end of the pivot pin 7 of the yoke lever 6 and secured thereto by a set screw 12; a section 13 swiveled to the section 11 and arranged coaxially with the axial line of the yoke lever 6 and end to end with the section 11; a flexible conduit 14 connectin the swiveled section 13 and the interior 0 the head 5; and a connection between the swiveled section 13 and the head to transmit the up and down movement of the head to the swiveled section to rock the swiveled section and to relieve the swiveled section of all other movements of the head.

The section 11 is formed with a packing chamber 15 at one end and the swiveled section 13 has an annular flange or collar 16 located or journalled in the section 11 at the inner end of the packing chamber 15. Packing rings 17 are located in the chamber 15 adjacent the head 16. The section 13 is secured to the section 11, by a gland nut 18 threading on the section 11 and having its internal flange thrusting against the outer end of a metal sleeve 19 slidable on the swiveled section 13. The inner end of the sleeve 19 extends into the chamber and thrusts against the packing rings 17. The axial portion of the swiveled section 13 has a radially extending rigid portion 20 to which one end of the flexible conduit 14 is coupled at 21. The other end of the flexible conduit 14 is coupled at 22 to the head. The inner end of the bore of the section 13 is shown as square at 23. The inner end 23 of the bore is squared merely to facilitate certain manufacturing operations.

The connections between the swiveled section 13 and the head, as here shown, includes a rock arm 24 pivotally connected at one end to the swiveled section 13 on an axis extending transversely of the axis of the swiveled section, and connected to the head by a joint having a universal action.

As here illustrated, one end of the rock arm 24 is formed with a fork 25 which embraces the swiveled section 13, the arms of the fork being pivoted to the swiveled section 13 by the swiveling axis of the section 13. The other end of the arm 24 is connected to the head by a ball 27 located in a socket 28 in the rear edge of the head. The fixed section 11 has a laterally extending intake 29 rigi therewith. I

' Obviously, the up and down movement of the head will be transferred to the swiveled section 13 and the flexible conduit 14 relieved of strains, owing to the pivotal connection between the arm 24 and the swiveled section and the head 5 which may occur in the normal operation of the machine. Endwise shifting of the head will not cause the swiveled section to move since the arm 24 will pivot about the pins 26. Shifting movement of the head forward and aft will not move the arm 24 due to the play in the ball and socket connection which permits the ball 27 to slide forward and aft in the socket 28.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine of the type described, in combination a fixed pressing element carried by a frame, a movable pressing element lever means, movable connecting means mounting the movable pressing element on the lever means, a pivotal connection between said lever means and the frame for permitting movement of the movable pressing element toward and from the fixed pressing element, conduit means for conducting a fluid to the said movable pressing element, said conduit means including a swivel joint disposed with its swivel axis on the pivotal axis of the lever means, a flexible hose connection between the swivel joint and the movable pressing element, and means between the movable pressing element and the swivel connection to cause said swivel connection to turn when the movable pressing element moves about the axis of the lever means.

2. In a garment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element with said lever, conduit means for conducting a fluid to the interior of the movable pressing element including a fixed section arranged coaxially with the axis of said lever and having an intake, a section arranged coaxially with the former section and swiveled thereto to oscillate about the axial line of the lever, a flexible conduit connecting the swiveled section and the movable pressing element, and means connecting the swiveled section and the movable element to rock the swiveled section in synchronism with the movement of the movable pressing element.

3. In a garment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element mifla suit] lawn nnnrilnil manna 'Fnr nnnflnnting a fluid to the interior of the movable pressing element including a fixed section arranged coaxially with the axis of said lever and having an intake, a sectionarranged coaxially with the former section and swiveled thereto to oscillate about the axial line of the lever, a-flexible conduit connecting the swiveled section and the movable pressing element, and means connecting the swiveled section and the movable element to rock the swiveled section in synchronism with the movement of the movable pressing element, said connecting means including an arm pivotally connected to the swiveled section on an axis extending transversely of the axis of the swiveled section, whereby the swiveled section is not effected by movements of the movable element other than the up and down movement. 4. In a garment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element with said lever, conduit means-for conducting a fluid to the interior ofthe movable pressing element including a fixed section arranged coaxially with the axis of said lever and having an intake, a section arranged coaxially with the former section and swiveled thereto to oscillate about the axial line of the lever, a flexible conduit connecting the swiveled section and the movable pressing element, and means connecting the swiveled section and the movable element to rock the swiveled section in synchronism with the movement of the movable pressing element, said means including an arm connected to the movable pressing element by a joint having a universal action.

V 5. In a garment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a

- lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element with said lever, conduit means for conducting a fluid to the interior of the movable pressing element comprising a fixed section arranged coaxially with the axis of said lever and having an intake, a section arranged coaxially with the former section and swiveled thereto to oscillate about the axial line of the rock it about its axis during the movements of the movable element.

6. In a garment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable towardand from the other, a lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element with said lever, conduit means for conducting a fluid to the interior of the movable element including a fixed section mounted coaxially with the axis of said lever and having a packing chamber at one end, a swiveled section having an annular head located in the packing chamber, a gland nut threading on the packing chamber and thrusting toward the annular flange of the swiveled section, a packing ring between the head and the flange, the swiveled section being arranged coaxially with the axial line of said lever, a conduit connecting the swiveled section and the interior of the movable element, and

-means connecting the swiveled section and the movable element to impart a rocking movement about its axis to the swiveled section and prevent the swiveled section from being moved in any other way by the movable element.

7. In a gar-ment pressing machine a frame, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a lever pivoted to the frame, means movably connecting the movable pressing element with said lever, conduit means for conducting a. fluid to the interior of the movable element including a fixed section mounted coaxially with the axis of said lever and having a packing chamber at one end, a swiveled section having an annular head located in the packing chamber, a gland nut threading on the packing chamber and thrusting against the annular flange of the swiveled section, the swivelled section being arranged coaxially with the axial line of said lever, a flexible conduit connecting the swiveled section and the interior of the movable element, and a rock arm pivotally connected to the swiveled section on an axis extending transversely of and intersecting the axis of said section and connected to the movable element by a joint having a universal action.

8. In a garment pressing machine in com-,

bination a frame; cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; a lever pivoted to the frame; means movably connecting ,the movable ressing element with said lever; a conduit or conducting a fluid to the interior of the movable pressing element including a fixed section mounted coaxially with the pivotal axis of said lever and having an intake; a section arranged coaxially with the former section and swivelly connected thereto to oscillate about said pivotal axis; a conduit connecting the swiveled section and the movable element; an arm operatively connecting the swiveled section and the movable element, the connection at one end of said arm having a pivot pin at right angles to the pivotal axis of the lever, and the connection at the other end comprising a portion on the movable element slidable lengthwise of the arm.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Syracuse, in the County of Onondaga, and in the State of New York, this 5th day of March, 1929.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

